SWEAT for a VET on NOV 12th to Help Disabled Veterans

Project VisAbility, with Sport&Health Clubs and Diamond Sponsor Myzone, plans to “SWEAT” twice as much at this year’s second annual SWEAT for a VET event, taking place on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Join hundreds of participants live at Tysons Sport&Health and thousands at SWEAT-a-thons across the nation and around the world, connected and streaming via live video link, to benefit America’s Wounded Warriors and individuals with physical disabilities.

Last year SWEAT for a VET raised over $70,000 and purchased Concept2 adaptive rowers, Johnny G Krankcycles® by Matrix and Invacare Top End Handcycles. The Concept2 rowing machines are installed at Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade and Fort Lewis locations, and are available for veterans rehabilitating at those facilities. Krankcycles are at Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. The Invacare Top End handcycles were delivered to the Walter Reed facility and are being used on campus as well as available for warriors to compete in marathons.

“Receiving this hand cycle through the donations from SWEAT for a VET 2010 is making a huge difference in my ability to train”, says Carlos Evans, a Marine who was deployed in Iraq three times and then in Afghanistan until he was wounded in combat in 2010, resulting in the loss of both legs and his left hand. Currently Evans is part of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East in Walter Reed Medical Center. "When I was first injured, I thought that I would never be independent or able to enjoy any sports. Now all that has changed… When I did the Disney half marathon with a hand cycle, I felt independent and confident that if could do that I could do anything. I don’t feel my injuries and I don't see that I am missing one hand and two legs. What I feel is freedom. And that is priceless.”

This year, challenged athletes and disabled Veterans will again participate and lead the indoor cycling, Kranking® and rowing “ride” alongside able-bodied individuals and very special guest Johnny G, creator of Spinning® and the new Krankcycle® by Matrix.

“This year’s SWEAT for a VET is going to be much bigger and even better than last year’s event”, said Debbie Miller, president of Project VisAbility and host for the event, “We have many more clubs hosting SWEAT-a-thons across the country, and money raised at those locations will go to buy equipment for facilities in those areas. We also have a large number on clubs internationally that will join us. For all locations, it’s about helping those with disabilities and promoting inclusive fitness globally.”

On November 12, 2011, join Project VisAbility, Sport&Health Clubs and diamond sponsor Myzone for the second annual SWEAT for a VET event. Participate at the main event site at Tysons Sport&Health in McLean, VA or one of the many SWEAT-a-thons nationally and internationally. The goal is to double the amount raised in 2010 and to donate even more equipmentto VA hospitals and other facilities serving disabled veterans in US locations, where the events are held. For more information, to register to participate, make a donation or sponsor go to the SWEAT for a VET 2011 registration site at http://www.SWEATforaVET.kintera.org. To see highlights from last year’s event or to find a participating club near you, visit the SWEAT for a VET home page at http://www.SWEATforaVET.org. See video invitation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TG-EHFIBO4&feature=player_embedded

About SWEAT for a VET
SWEAT for a VET is a 3-hour “all cardio” (indoor cycling, rowing, Kranking and whatever!) inclusive fitness fundraising event benefiting wounded warriors within the US and individuals with physical challenges outside the US. The event is hosted by Project VisAbility with Sport&Health Clubs and is held annually on the Saturday of Veteran’s Day weekend. This year the event will take place on Saturday November 12, 2011. The main event site is located at Tysons Sport&Health in McLean, VA with SWEAT-a-thon locations linked through live video streaming across the nation and around the world. Register to participate, donate or sponsor for this year’s event at: http://www.sweatforavet.kintera.org. Donations can be made at any time at http://www.sweatforavet.org.

About Project VisAbility
Project VisAbility promotes and advocates inclusive fitness at the highest, most visible level, through fundraising events and programs that benefit disabled veterans, athletes and others with physical challenges. We help create job opportunities, provide equipment and resources, and expand awareness in the areas of health and fitness by hosting inclusive fundraising events that provide adaptive equipment for wounded warriors in the US and training camps for challenged athletes worldwide,partnering to provide resources for training and developmentfor individuals with physical challenges who want to become group exercise instructors, encouraging clubs to embrace inclusive fitness by offering classes and hiring capable physically challenged instructors to lead them, and promoting inclusive fitness through outreach and media coverage of our programs, events and opportunities. By enabling everyone to exercise together, we inspire joy and celebrate achievement.For more information or to make a donation, please visit http://www.ProjectVisAbility.org.

About Sport&Health Clubs
Since 1973, Sport&Health Clubs has grown to be Washington’s largest family of full-service health clubs and day spas with 25 locations in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Locally owned and operated, Sport&Health Clubs are built around integrating fun and fitness into the busy lifestyles that define our nation's capital and its ever-expanding communities. The Company serves the health and fitness needs of more than 127,000 Washingtonians, with over 2,000 employees, and is one of the top health club companies in the U.S. (based on annual revenues). The clubs feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment, individual and group personal training, group exercise classes for all levels including Pilates, yoga, step, high and low impact, Mixed Martial Arts and more. Many clubs feature tennis, racquetball, squash, basketball, swimming and a KidzKlub, which features a nursery, climbing mazes, dance classes, camps and a variety of junior programs for all ages. Several clubs feature Serenity Day Spa that provides therapeutic massage, body treatments, nail and skin care and hair styling and design. For more information, visit http://www.sportandhealth.com.